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The folks over at Cinema Nippon enjoyed our film so much, they decided to do a video review of it.

What is Cinema Nippon?

From their Youtube channel: “Cinema Nippon, a study in Japanese film. On this channel, you’ll find videos analyzing some cult classic Japanese movies, as well as some more obscure ones.”

Who doesn’t like film? What film fan doesn’t want to learn more about Japanese Film?

Eli and Kylie are genuine cinema fans and really do their homework. It’s very refreshing to feel how excited and passionate they are to share these films with their growing fan base. After subscribing to their channel myself, I have discovered a few more films I need to check out.

We are very grateful for Cinema Nippon’s review and their excitement in sharing our film with their followers!

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Our beloved film (and blog namesake) is an official selection of the 2nd Annual, 2017 Silicon Beach Film Festival!!

If you’ve been following us on Twitter or Facebook, you know that our film is playing tomorrow at 6pm at the Cinemark 18XD in the Howard Hughes Promenade in Los Angeles, California. Or just follow this link.

Here’s a few photos from the red carpet opening and a green screen session to build a phone app that launches exclusively with the film festival.

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We’ve all got baggage. Everyone has at least a carry on or personal item.

Some people are better at handling their baggage than others. It can be big and awkward or small and discreet.

No one wants to carry your baggage. They may offer to help you but ultimately you own it and have to deal with it.

I’m in my late 30’s and I absolutely have baggage. The difference now, as opposed to ten years ago, is that my baggage is pretty light and compact. I have learned that carrying everything with me was just not efficient or good for my health. It really slowed me down and sometimes got in the way of some relationships I really valued and held me back from destinations I wanted to visit.

Fortunately, I’ve been lucky enough to meet people who’ve shown me how to re-evaluate my journey.

Now, I pack light. I only take the essentials and even then, I try to leave enough space for better experiences and people to enrich my journey.

Now, my baggage doesn’t weigh me down as much. I still have post cards and stickers that remind me of where I’ve been. No point in forgetting the lessons I’ve learned.

Now I try to enjoy my journey as more and more destinations come and go.

Memories are your souvenirs in this journey of life. Why not focus on collecting the good ones and leaving the bad ones behind where you found them?

About four years ago, in the mid summer of 2012, I set out to make a short film about Hikikomori. I set up this blog in hopes of connecting to other filmmakers and people who like the same things I like.

I also set out to tell a story about something I had never heard of, growing up in America, but very quickly came to empathize with. Despite its Japanese origins, I feel like I understand why some people become Hikikomori.

It just spoke to me and I had to tell this story.

Is happiness (with your life and dreams) supposed to be about the destination or the journey?

At this point in my life, it’s both and it’s a fleeting happiness. I think this is the blessing and the curse of making movies or telling stories. Once it’s done. You’re back at zero but you welcome it because the process won’t be the same experience the next time around. The people you will meet along the way will inspire you as well as challenge you. The art form completely has you at it’s mercy but there’s no other way you’d rather spend your time.

This film took me longer than I thought, cost more than I thought, and I still manage to meet people who are willing to help me. It’s very humbling and truly amazing.